KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that the verdicts of Supreme Court of Pakistan into the cases of PTI and PML-N were comparatively positive but it is Pakistan Peoples Party which is always seen differently.

This he said while talking to media just after attending Kiran Sitara a programme designed to fight against TB organised under the banner of ‘She Leads” Conference by Indus Health Network at PAF Museum Saturday.

Replying to a question about the decision of Supreme Court into the disqualification case of Imran Khan and Jahangir Tarin and Hudebia Paper Mills case, the chief minister said that he could not comment on the verdicts but “I would like to say that the decisions of the Court are comparatively better for both, the PTI and PML-N while there is a different yardstick for Pakistan Peoples Party,” he said and added “We always respect the court decisions.”

He said that the forthcoming general election of 2018 would be the last election for Imran Khan because he is no more leader of youth. “Oh yes, it is Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who is a genuine leader of youth of the country,” he said and added “Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has the capability to steer the country out of present crisis,” he said. Talking about tragedy of Public School Peshawar, Murad Ali Shah said the smiles and fragrance of the children were still alive in his memories. “We can not forget them, they were our future and their sacrifice is the great one and it has united the nation against terrorists,” he said.

Earlier, addressing the ‘She Leads Conference’ the chief minister said that it is something to be pride of to be with 10,000 girl students. “I truly feel the positive spirit of optimism at this forum and we will need your youthful energy, creativity and passion to lead our country to a healthier future,” he said.? Murad Ali Shah said today’s generation of young people, particularly the female is the largest the world has ever known.

He added that one in every three persons alive today is under the age of thirty, and around ninety per cent of young people are living in developing countries, such as Pakistan. “I believe in your power to shape our future, young people now and in the future would play a big role in how our world addresses challenges,” he said and added only by ensuring opportunities that open the future to all young people do we create a better future.

He said the collaborative effort between the Indus Health Network, Interactive Research and Development, Department of Education Government of Sindh, and the Kiran Sitara program, emphasizes the importance of contributing to progress, particularly during times of change. “This approach is needed now more than ever,” he said. The chief minister said that the Kiran Sitara Adolescent Health and Leadership program achieves that by mobilizing young girls at secondary schools. By teaching adolescent girls the skills such as communication, negotiation, leadership, human rights and combining that with basic health care directives, the Kiran Sitara is creating a network of social impact leaders.

He went on saying over the next decade and beyond, if we are to solve the most pressing issues of our time, we can tap into the dynamism of these generation of leaders, for they have the potential to be the most creative forces for social change in the country. “By empowering these girls, we can drive social progress in areas including access to education, immunization programs geared towards polio eradication, child marriage and other critical health and development challenges,” he said.

The chief minister said that he is convinced that investing in education for girls and women is the key to unlocking advances across society. He added Positive change is possible if we act together and act now. “the problems we face are global but they demand local solutions.,” he said and added “the initiatives you undertake in your own community, from your home to the classroom are indispensable.,” he said.

It may be noted that The Kiran Sitara program – part of ‘Aao TB Mitao’ aims to enhance leadership skills of adolescent girls by providing trainings to boost their confidence, improve educational performance and ameliorate their communication competency.

Currently the program is teaching young girls how to identify basic symptoms of TB and training them to send people to key healthcare facilities for further testing. By harnessing the potential of students as “Actors of Social Change”, this indigenous community outreach campaign is designed to increase uptake of screening and treatment services for a TB free Pakistan.

The chief minister said that the young people are some of the greatest change-makers and innovators we have.

“A good leader is a good listener and a good leader is also a good follower,” he said and urged the young girls “You must remember this as you assume a position of leadership, you are never too young to lead and never too old to learn,” he said and added “So put your remarkable energy, vision, and passion in the service of our people and planet, I count on you to build a more sustainable future for all of humanity,” he concluded.